Tampa Medicaid Planning and Eligibility Attorney

Thanks to Modern Medical Science and Technology Americans are living much longer lives. With that, it is essential to plan for a long life after retirement. This includes adequate medical coverage and Medicare or Medicaid. An attorney in Tampa who is familiar with Medicaid planning and eligibility can help with the complex paperwork and make things easier for family members to understand for older individuals who may not be able to afford the rising costs of medical care.

We all know that the cost of nursing homes is very expensive and it is costing more each year. The costs could range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 per month! Recent studies have revealed that people spend an average of 30 months in a nursing home. Unless you’re a retired Army Veteran with VA benefits, many people pay for these nursing homes with their own money, often depleting their life savings. This is not always necessary. If you plan properly, Medicaid can help cut these costs, allowing you to leave money to your heirs instead of spending it all on nursing home costs.

Medicare Part A refers to hospital insurance which covers up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. However, Medicare has a restrictive definition of skilled nursing. Many times, nursing home care will not be covered under Part A. Medicaid is the only option that people have to help pay for the cost of a nursing home. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is a program that is based on financial needs. You will be required to pass an asset and income test to become eligible for the Medicaid benefits. On the other hand, Medicare is available to anyone over the age of 65 and does not consider income or assets as part of the required qualifications.

You must pass a three part test to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. The test is broken into sections which includes your medical necessities, your age and disabilities and your financial situation. You must meet the requirement of all three sections to become eligible for Medicaid in Tampa.

The medical need portion is based on any medical restrictions the individual may have. These restrictions must limit your ability to perform daily tasks. The requirements are that the individual must need daily care, skilled nursing, continuous observation, the need for a registered nurse and medical needs that are not typically offered by a hospital.

To be eligible, you must be over the age of 65 or have a disability. For example, in Tampa if you are disabled and are only 60 years old, you will be eligible for Medicaid.

Your income and assets are an important part of eligibility. All individual assets and income will be considered when determining eligibility. The exact amounts will vary per state. Asset tests will vary depending on whether the individual is married or single. The amount of assets allowed will be determined by the marital status. The income cap per month also varies per state.

The income test often presents problems when you are applying for Medicaid. If your monthly income level is over the specified amount, you will not be considered. Many times, that set amount is far less than the cost of monthly nursing home care. This often leaves individuals in a situation where they earn too much to get Medicaid, but not enough to pay for nursing home care. This situation is referred to as the Medicaid Gap.

Since there are so many factors determining the eligibility for Medicaid in Tampa, planning is very important. You must consider all factors and try to determine what your medical needs will be later in life. This can be very difficult. The financial aspect is also a difficult situation to deal with. Often times, people are forced to spend their life savings just to become eligible for Medicaid programs so they can receive nursing home care. Proper planning can alleviate some of these stresses.

Contact Suncoast Elder Law in Tampa to discuss Medicare and Medicaid planning for you or a loved one today.